The numbers are stunning: Mariah Carey has scored a record 18 No. 1 songs, won five Grammys — and performed zero concerts in the Twin Cities area. None. On Wednesday the 49-year-old songbird supreme finally will headline a show in Minneapolis. That will give us a chance to see how Carey, she of the gymnastic voice and five-octave range, compares with other stratospheric singers.
Christina Aguilera
Age: 38
No. 1 pop songs: 5
Grammys: 5
Signature song: "Fighter"
Concert grade: B-minus. It's been a long time since "The Voice" coach performed here, but in 2007 she manifested too much lung power, with her voice getting shrill and over-the-top.
Celine Dion
Age: 50
No. 1 pop songs: 4
Grammys: 5
Signature song: "My Heart Will Go On"
Concert grade: B. The Vegas queen brings plenty of pomp and Cirque du Soleil-ness and, of course, that athletic voice with its heart-thumping vibrato and glass-shattering force.
Ariana Grande
Age: 25
No. 1 pop songs: 2
Grammys: 1
Signature song: "Thank U, Next"
Concert grade: A-minus. Once dubbed a Mariah clone, she is learning to rein in the vocal histrionics and becoming a powerfully emotional singer as she builds a trove of top-notch, highly personal, self-penned songs.
Patti LaBelle
Age: 74
No. 1 pop songs: 2
Grammys: 2
Signature song: "Lady Marmalade"
Concert grade: A. With her expert command of dynamics, emotion and showmanship, this ageless diva delivers with an unparalleled combination of vivacious personality and vocal prowess.
Ann Wilson
Age: 68
No. 1 pop songs: 2
Grammys: 0
Signature song: "Alone"
Concert grade: B. Her group Heart started out as a female-fronted answer to Led Zeppelin, and she remains potent as a Robert Plant-inspired wailer.
Jennifer Hudson
Age: 37
No. 1 pop songs: 0
Grammys: 2
Signature song: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
Concert grade: C-plus. This gospel-reared screamer raises the roof higher than Prince and Little Richard combined, but lacks first-rate original material.
Amy Lee
Age: 37
No. 1 pop songs: 0
Grammys: 2
Signature song: "Bring Me to Life"
Concert grade: B-plus. The Evanescence frontwoman brings rock drama and remarkable range — all while playing piano — no matter who's in her revolving cast of sidemen.
Lisa Fischer
Age: 60
No. 1 pop songs: 0
Grammys: 2
Signature song: "How Can I Ease the Pain"
Concert grade: A-plus. Arguably the finest female singer on Earth, she's a master at mixing genres — from jazz and soul to rock and classical — in the same song.
Twitter: @JonBream • 612-673-1719
